Rebuild Ypsilanti aims to increase energy efficiency

The weather outside may be frightful, but businesses in Ypsilanti soon will be able to warm themselves while pocketing some spare change at the same time.

A new program called Rebuild Ypsilanti is being launched by Ypsilanti-based Clean Energy Coalition (CEC). The program aims to reduce energy costs by assisting in energy efficiency improvements for commercial buildings such as offices, restaurants and multi-family residences in Ypsilanti.

ENERGY SAVERS

Top three energy improvements in commercial buildings:

1) Lighting: Switching older T12 lights with more efficient T8s provides the same amount of light using less electricity.

3) Occupant behavior: Vendena recommends setting the thermometer between 68-70 degrees, a comfortable setting for most people. During closed hours, turn the thermostat down to 55-60 degrees.

"Program participants will not only reduce operating costs but also improve the comfort and health of building occupants and the environment by preventing pollution," says Greg Vendena, project manager, Clean Energy Coalition.

The hope is that freeing up money from decreased energy usage will serve the other budget areas for participants, feeding local economies and the community.

The program will provide resources such as free and reduced cost energy audits, technical guides, print and electronic publications, financial strategies for energy projects, workshops and meetings and grant writing assistance.

The program is part of the Rebuild Michigan program funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and administered by the State of Michigan Energy Office (Department of Labor and Economic Growth). Current stakeholders include the Ypsilanti Area Chamber of Commerce, Ypsilanti Downtown Development Authority, City of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University, Growing Hope, Jacobsen Daniels Associates, Ypsilanti Food Coop and the Ypsilanti District Library.

Vendena comes to CEC with 15 years experience in green building and energy efficiency, most recently running his own consulting business in Detroit.

"Coming from Detroit where community development is really a struggle, I'm very impressed with Ypsilanti and the strong community of people dedicated to improving it in a number of ways," he says. "The fact that it has one of the largest historic districts in the country also makes it very interesting as far as improving energy efficiency."

Vendena explains that all businesses benefit from an energy audit and an energy management strategy. "Restaurants and hospitals may have the most intense use of energy, for example, but an office or apartment building can definitely raise significant savings by doing some retrofits."

Vendena says in multi-family residential buildings where retaining heat is the main concern, current protocol is to improve draftiness while introducing fresh air mechanically through an exhaust fan in certain rooms like bathrooms or kitchens to avoid mold.

On the other hand, one of the typical issues in office buildings is lighting. Switching old fluorescent lights with more efficient ones or improving day lighting has been proven to improve productivity and save energy, says Vendena.

"People are very interested once they realize that most improvements pay for themselves in a few years," Vendena explains. "Since the equipment lasts for 20 years, you can have positive cash flow within a few years."

The general public is invited to the Rebuild Ypsilanti Kick-off meeting from 10 a.m. - noon Jan. 9 at the Ypsilanti District Library, 5577 Whittaker Road.

The meeting will include information on the benefits of energy efficiency as well as financing options, grant opportunities and tax incentives for implementing improvements.